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President of the Jamaica Football Federation Crenston Boxhill

Presentation by the President of the Jamaica Football Federation at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course

I would like to extend my personal appreciation to President Michael Fennell and the Jamaica Olympic Association for responding to the request of the federation in facilitating and hosting this very important Olympic solidarity course for chosen football coaches in Jamaica.

I would also like to express special appreciation to Mr. Don Anderson, 1st Vice-President of the JOA, who has been hands on and very helpful in making this a reality.

A very warm and Jamaican welcome to Mr. Carlos Buzzetti who has traveled from as far as New Zealand to lead these sessions. We are aware of Mr. Buzetti’s experience in these courses and therefore look forward to a highly rewarding and intensive ten days.

The co-operation of these two international sporting bodies, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee, in supporting educational courses through the Olympic Solidarity programme is highly commendable for the overall development of our global sports.

The federation is only happy to be benefiting at a most appropriate time in our own football development programme.

The improvement of the all round coaching skills of our local coaches is of fundamental importance to the development of the sport.

No longer can we depend on intuition, (no matter how good), as the basis for training.

The fact is that the level of competition in the sport at the international level is forcing all involved to prepare teams and programmes according to established, proven and successful methods. I am sure you agree that when we dispassionately look at the most successful teams, there are common characteristics and common shape to their success.

It is certainly my opinion that nothing can replace exposure to quality internationally experienced coaching techniques.

The JFF’s decision to acquire and invest in a highly qualified technical director is recognition of the value we place on this.

Importantly and I wish to stress, this administration believes that we must utilise this available expertise to ensure long term sustainability of our programmes.

This means that our local expertise must not only be exposed to the knowledge but must make the best use of the information presented.

Hence we aim to develop the technical and tactical expertise of our local coaching staff by allowing local coaches to work with (and not to be replaced) by our technical director.

In fact as a conscious decision it was agreed that in the initial period of his contract, the technical director would work with local personnel.

I am sure the entire country would bemoan the fact if at the end of a four year contract our local coaches were not better off for having had access to this high quality expertise.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is not always about the short term or the easiest route. It is about maximising the benefits in a sustainable way.

If there is one lesson i want to leave with you as participants and as amongst the best of our local coaches……..absorb and learn all that you can from all the different sources available to you, this course being one, the presence of the technical director being another. I say learn and apply. Learn and apply.

I choose these words purposely. It makes no sense learning if you do not apply. And you cannot apply what you have not opened our minds to learning.

I also encourage you to raise all relevant questions as you seek to apply the information being presented to your own experiences at your individual levels.

In the end that is what will increase the value of the information you receive.

In examining the course content I am particularly pleased with its all embracing nature. In particular I am happy with the inclusion of segments on women’s football.

In keeping with the mandate of the recent CONCACAF congress for members to do more to expand women’s football, I urge special attention to this area as well as attention to youth football.

We can recall back in 2005 when the federation hosted a coaching course on youth football we learnt that in these specialised areas of youth and Women’s football, there are unique approaches that are needed to develop these areas.

The inclusion of some focus on the administration of the sport is also highly commendable as we have learnt that technical and tactical improvements have to be supported by strong administrative direction and back –up.

I am pleased that in response to a request by FIFA we have been able to utilise the occasion of this course to address one of fifa objectives under its theme of building a better future.

Football is no longer considered merely a global sport, but also as unifying force whose virtues can make an important contribution to society. FIFA has set an objective of using the power of football as a tool for social and human development, by strengthening the work of dozens of initiatives around the globe.

Work with SOS villages worldwide is one such initiative. To play our role, all participants will be paying a visit to the SOS village in Montego Bay on Saturday 16th where we hope to share with those children. As you may know these villages represent private charity constituted areas for needy children with no political or religious affiliation.

Mr. General Secretary congrats on this timely response to FIFA’s call to further partnerships between national football associations and the national associations of SOS children's villages.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have confidence that the deliberations over the coming days will be successful and have a positive contribution to the development of the sport locally.

MY VERY BEST WISHES.